What is being described as the
military's first religious same-sex commitment ceremony has riled two
Republican congressmen.

Representatives John Fleming of
Louisiana and Todd Akin of Missouri have denounced the ceremony which
was held last month at the Army's Fort Polk training base in
Louisiana.

The women's commitment ceremony was
held at the base chapel and officiated by a chaplain, the AP
reported.

Following the repeal of “Don't Ask,
Don't Tell,” Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness
Clifford Stanley issued a memo which stated that chaplains may
officiate the marriage and civil union ceremonies of gay couples in
states where it's legal, including those taking place on military
installations.

While Louisiana does not recognize gay
couples with either marriage or civil unions, Fort Polk spokesman
Scott Sterns said participants understood it was not a marriage
ceremony.

“A same-sex marriage-like ceremony
should not have occurred at Fort Polk, especially since the people of
Louisiana have made it abundantly clear that our state does not
recognize same-sex marriages or civil unions,” Fleming
said in a statement. He went on to say repeal of the gay ban
“made incidents like this inevitable.”

Akin, who has previously sponsored
bills which would ban such ceremonies from taking place on military
bases, said the base had violated Defense Department policy.